North American Yale Prototype

When hangar flying discussions turn to rare airplanes I pay attention. Especially when the word prototype is tossed in! While visiting a friends hangar he said he had completed the fabric and paint work on the rudder of a North American Yale. Not just any Yale but the prototype NA-64. The fixed gear trainer from the T-6 family of aircraft. The project was coming together after about two years of refurbishment and I wanted to see it!

It was an odd Thursday afternoon in February 2017 that I had taken off work to spend time with my son. He loves to visit the local airports so we drove around Hicks Airfield in Ft. Worth. After stopping to visit a few friends and asking about the Yale we were coming up with no clues on it’s whereabouts. Feeling pretty bummed we started to leave the airport. At the last taxiway I looked back over my shoulder and spotted the Yale! It had just been pulled out of the hangar for an engine run! We found it!

The owner, Mark Cyrier, told me the story of finding the airplane, Yale NX13397, and it’s refurbishment. Some photos and part of the story are posted on the Warbird Information Exchange forum - follow this link…

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=56209

We almost missed it... so it was very cool to finally find the Yale that I had been hunting for.

Mark sent me an email today to report that it has flown 15 hours. This just might be the oldest flying North American trainer currently airworthy.

Mid America Flight Museum - World War Two Glider and Troop Pilot Reunion

Fall of 2016 my dad and I made the short trip out to East Texas for the National World War Two Glider and Troop Pilots reunion. The Mid America Flight Museum in Mount Pleasant, Texas hosted the event. Dad and I enjoyed walking around the airplanes on the ramp, checking out the museums hangars and visiting with some of the pilots. The museum was very generous to the veterans and their families with airplanes rides and open hospitality. Be sure to follow Mid America Flight Museum on Facebook and Instagram. They have an amazing collection of airplanes. Photos and link to a highlight video below. (Highly recommend Erik Johnston's videos!)

Dan and Dad with the C-41

C-47 Sky King

General Hap Arnold's C-41

Sky King and the C-41 stayed busy giving rides

Links: Mid America Flight Museum - Glider Pilots Association

Legend Cub Ride

In the Fall of 2016 our son Brennen took his first small airplane ride. We were attending the Texas Antique Airplane Association Fly-In. Family friend Billy Copeland offered me a ride in his Legend Cub when Brennen quickly stated “I want to go to!” so he rode in my lap. I could not think of a more memorable airplane to get his first airplane ride in than a Cub!

Strapping in the Legend Cub

All smiles from our ride

Brennen, Dan, Jana and Billy

Earlier in the day Brennen took a ride on this little train. I likes the Cub!

Curtiss Robin Cowling

In April of 2016 I took delivery of my Curtiss Robin cowling parts. These are from an OX-5 Robin. They are a fun addition to my collection. The coolest thing about their delivery is that they were flown to me on a Challenger 300 business jet! The pilot had permission from the owner to pack them in the back for the trip to Texas. With the help of a new aviation acquaintance who worked the ramp we loaded them up on the "follow me" cart and took them to my car. Yes... I made them fit!

1920s airplane parts flying in a corporate jet!

The coolest baggage loaded on THIS cart!

Yes the cowling fits

Trunk full of cowling

Looking back on 2016

We are well into 2017 but I see that I did not post any in 2016 so here is a look back…

Most of my time is spent with family these days and that includes outings with our son. He has caught the aviation bug from me for sure!

We have enjoyed a few visits to the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field.

Frontiers of Flight Museum

Our three most frequently visited North Texas airports are Propwash in Justin, Northwest Regional in Roanoke and Hicks in Ft. Worth.

J-3 restoration at Northwest Regional

Luscombe at Northwest Regional

T-6 Project at Propwash

My son and I have also jumped into my old model building hobby. We pull out a plastic model kit from my stash and build about one airplane a month.

Skyraider plastic model build

When we can we visit local North Texas aviation events. An open house at Propwash, a museum visit at Meacham, Addison and Lancaster.

Our son, Brennen, airplane spotting at Propwash

Daddy and Brennen in the shade of the Navion

Checking out the Vintage Flying Museum at Meacham

Mustang at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum

Woody and Mustang at Lancaster

In the Fall of 2016 us boys gave Mommy a break and did an overnight trip to the Antique Airplane fly-in held in Gainesville. Plenty of cool airplanes to spot and we even watched a fun T-6 airshow at sunset.

BIG T-6 at Gainesville Antique Fly-In

 The coolest part of the weekend was our sons first little airplane ride. Our friend Billy took us up in his Legend Cub.

First Cub ride!

As I sort back through my photos I will hit so more highlights from 2016. Stop back by soon!